Pollution in the Spanish Mar Menor lagoon

Agri-food and plastics are some of the biggest industries in the Murcia region. So, it’s not surprising that agriplastics pollution has become a serious issue, in particular along the Murcia coastline, with 790 litter items found on a stretch of land near the Mar Menor and the Marina of Cape Cope in 2024.

The initial assessment by PERMAGOV shows that governance for this source of marine pollution is growing as a result of the iterative process of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) implementation at the national level. This process enabled the capability of the marine governance arrangement to act reflexively and adapt to the increasing knowledge on this source of pollution.

However, at present, there are barriers to cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly between marine protection and agricultural actors at the national level. As a result, knowledge and effective implementation of solutions stemming from marine protection may be hampered by this institutional fragmentation.

Moreover, knowledge on agriculturalist experiences and practices that contribute to agriplastic pollution are limited due to the prioritisation of the biodegradable/compostable plastic substitution discourse and a gap in competence between agricultural and waste management sectors.

1. 5 February 2025 Pollution in the spanish mar menor lagoon Shannon McLaughlin, PhD Cand. Prof. Dr. Tiffany Morrison, Promotor Dr. Judith van Leeuwen, Co-Promotor Dr. Hilde Toonen , Co-Promotor

2. 790/items per 100m in 2024 409/items per 100m in 2022

3. The issue of agriplastics in Spain Agricultural plastics one of the largest sources of marine plastic pollution where these activities occur Despite this, only recently (2017) became acknowledged under marine strategies as source to be tackled Limited involvement/knowledge from agriculturalists and high levels of contestation between ‘ecological’ and ‘agricultural’ groups.

4. Mar Menor Cape Cope

5. The Mar Menor Europe’s largest coastal saltwater lagoon Neighbouring Murcia’s second-largest region for plasticulture Suffered multiple mass-die off events Europe’s first case of Rights of Nature and ecological personality

6. The Marina of Cape Cope Coastal regional park home to endemic turtle Neighbouring Murcia’s largest region for plasticulture Epicentre of agriplastic pollution problematization Challenges in obtaining effective conservation

7. Data collection Preliminary desk-based analysis Identification of model components Document analysis Online interviews (n=4) Fieldwork in case studies Validate and refine the model (focus on agri ) Identify collaboration dynamics In-person interviews (n=24) Waste management site visits (n=2)

8. Key institutional characteristics Two levels: National Regional Three governance areas: Marine Protection (Marine Litter) Waste Management Agriculture Discourse : Agricultural plastics production, use, and management are an important issue for marine pollution

9. Preliminary Institutional Framework

10. Results: Governance arrangements Rules: Law 41/2010 driver of institutional regulation for agriplastics However, regulation not yet fully implemented or developed Actors: One main civil society actor driving knowledge and action ( Ambiente Europeo ) Agricultural actors not factoring in marine pollution in decision-making Discourses: ‘ Agriplastics use and management are an issue of marine concern’ ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ ‘ Biodegradeable Plastics’ Power dynamics: Difficulties for marine sector to influence agriculture sector

11. Results: Institutional attributes Actor connectivity: barriers to connectivity between marine and agricultural sectors Institutional incentives: Non-homogenous incentives to ensure proper waste management between case studies -> ecocomic barrier in more polluted region Formality of institutions: Lack of formality of cross-sectoral institutions between marine and agricultural sector Development and use of knowledge: Lack of knowledge and knowledge transfer between marine and agricultural sectors. Lack of understanding of agricultural realities.

12. Results: Collaborative dynamics Interdependent policy areas Barriers to connectivity between marine and agricultural sectors Lack of shared motivation and goals Different narratives within each policy sector for responsibility and competency for agriplastic pollution

13. Results: Linkages

14. Main takeaways Strong institutional fragmentation between marine and agricultural sectors Emphasis on switching materials and limited knowledge on practices and barriers to reduce unwated loss or dumping Need for knowledge of agricultural realities to inform regulatory developments to avoid unwanted impacts on smallholder farmers

15. Special issue: Focus on institutional barriers between marine and agricultural sector (?) PhD: Values of the Sea in marine pollution: the case of agriplastics in the Spanish Mediterranean Understanding values as lens through which to understand challenges and fragmentation between sectors Presenting at the More-Than-Human-Rights conference in NYU March 2025 Fieldwork for governance capabilities April/May 2025 Focus on agricultural sector Publications and next steps

16. VISION